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TAXI Music: May Take You to Where You Dream To Be

Have you heard of them? Well, supposedly they are here to help you get connected with and assist you in shopping your music to publishers, artists, labels, T.V. companies and more!

What is Taxi?

Founded in 1992 by CEO Michael Laskow, Taxi is a music-based A&R company that aids unsigned artists and composers in reaching their goals of finding record, publishing and film deals. They have the network to connect you with the best and big names you are looking to meet. Taxi is based in Los Angeles California and they have aided many songwriters and composers in receiving big deals.

To join Taxi you create an account on the website. You submit the membership fee of $299.95 for the whole year. Once you have done these things you have officially joined. Taxi provides industry listings from labels and companies looking for music. You then send your music to Taxi and they review your music and depending on which listings you use they give you helpful criticism on your songs. Your songs are sent by Taxi, directly to the company whose listing best matches your songs. Companies are more likely to listen to your music when it has been referred by a reliable source.

Taxi keeps in contact with many music companies and those companies reach out to taxi inquiring of new music and writers. They include what type of music they are looking to receive, for example the genre, the style, the theme or mood, for what type of project, being for film, T.V., an artist or what have you. Taxi posts those listings and you the taxi member submit music for the posting and receive feedback and hopefully a deal with that company (an example of a company listing HERE). There is no 100% guarantee that the company will choose your music, but the more you shop your music the more opportunity you will have.

How long does it take to hear back.

From reading a forum on the Taxi website the wait can range from a few days, to 6months, to over a year. The key here is to keep submitting your music, have all types and styles if able and have the patience to wait on a reply from the companies. Hang in there. There have been stories from this forum where people have wanted to quit, but by sticking it out they received contacts and deals from music companies.

Perks of Your Membership

Membership – You get an annual membership and a cheaper membership renewal fee.

Large Network – connections to shop your music. Taxi has such a large number of companies in its database including EMI, ABC, Fox Sports, Columbia Records, Epic Records, Capitol records, CBS, Universal Music, MTV and way more.

The Road Rally, which is a free, three-day convention. There you are involved in many sessions, listening to panels and educated speakers. You can also bring a guest for free with your membership.

Taxi Road Rally Convention 2010

Feedback – You will get feedback about your music and songs when you submit them to Taxi before they send it to the companies. You are able to use their criticism to make you music better.

An Example of a critique sheet received by a member from Taxi.

Referrals – They offer referrals for companies, lawyers and other information from their friendly and helpful staff.

Opportunity – The chance to submit your music to big names in the industry and have Taxi be a reference for you.

Free Music Business Newsletter – Taxi Meter and Recording Magazine are the two magazines put out by Taxi with industry updates and Taxi interviews and updates.

Money-Back Guarantee – If you aren’t satisfied you will get the full year cost of $299.95 back even after being with Taxi for a full year.

Is it for you?

Taxi is very proud of their customer service and they strive to be as helpful all around as possible from opportunities to feedback to a kind answer to your question.

Taxi does not take any percentage from your earnings; you get to keep 100% of your percentage. All they receive is the annual $300 membership fee, plus a $5 song submission fee for each song. To renew your membership it is only $199.95.

Don’t worry about having the best material or the best production of your song. The more you work at it, the more you show your music and the more feedback you get then the better you will get as a writer. This may be a good way for you. Go after your dreams. You can also begin your Taxi journey by subscribing to their email listing HERE and get an email from Taxi twice a month giving you industry updates. You can also check out Taxi’s youtube channel with advice, commentary and interviews HERE.

Success Stories

“TAXI is a great concept — it gives credible songwriters everywhere a way to get their songs heard.” Shane Barrett — Director of A&R, MCA Records, Nashville

“I’ve already signed one TAXI act, and I’m looking at others that have been submitted.” Tony Ferguson — VP of A&R, Interscope Records, LA

“I’ve signed a lot of deals with TAXI members. And a good percentage of those writers have had their music placed in TV shows and films as a direct result.” Jim Long — CEO, One Music

“I received a giant BMI check from TV airplay that I probably wouldn’t have earned without TAXI.” Julie Ann Bailey — TAXI Member